Kenya: Coffee Bill 2020 public participation meetings continue

Agriculture CS Hon Peter Munya has concluded a three-day public participation meeting on Coffee Bill 2020 at Nyamathumbi Primary School, Gatundu North Constituency in Kiambu County.

He was joined by the area MP Hon. Wanjiku Kibe and Secretary Administration Mr. Kello Harsama.

Farmers from three sub-counties: Gatundu North Githunguri and Gatundu North, have embraced the reforms which they say will help them earn what is rightful theirs therefore improving their livelihoods.

During the public participation meetings, farmers had a chance to voice issues affecting them in the sector most of them majoring on corruption and mismanagement which the proposed bill intends to address.

The Coffee Bill 2020 will permits coffee factories to register as autonomous societies under the co-operative societies act.

The Coffee bill also prohibits millers and marketing agents from lending to farmers. “A Cherry Advance Fund is now operational specifically to lend to farmers and therefore millers and marketing agents may not lend any money to farmers. A miller or marketing agent who lends to farmers commits an offence,” says the CS.